Turkish guards who beat U.S. protesters in D.C will be charged

This Thursday, law enforcement officials plan to charge a dozen members of the Turkish president’s security team who attacked a group protesters outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in D.C. last month. Two Americans and two Canadians have already been charged in the attack.

The New York Times says D.C. police have confirmed the identities of the two Americans as Sinan Narin, of Virginia, and Eyup Yildirim, of New Jersey. Narin was charged with felony and misdemeanor assault and Yildirim, who can be seen on video kicking a protester, was charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor.

From the New York Times:

Coming almost a month after the incident, the charges are the most significant retaliatory step taken to date by American authorities, who have fumed privately and publicly over what they see as a highly offensive attack on free speech — not to mention American law enforcement.

Lawmakers from both parties on Capitol Hill, as well as a smattering of advocacy groups, have clamored that those responsible for the assault be prosecuted. Last week, the House unanimously passed a resolution condemning the attack and calling for charges against the security forces.

The development presents some diplomatic challenges for the Trump administration. The Times reports that a proposed $1.2 million small-arms sale to Turkish security forces seems to have been stalled by the incident. Although Turkish president Erdogan’s entire security team left the U.S. along with him and extradition is unlikely, the men will face arrest if they ever try to reenter the country.